·        The most important shortcut in Windows could be argued to be ALT+F4.  Holding ALT and hitting F4 will close nearly any program. 

 

·        Similarly, holding down Control (Ctrl) + ALT + Delete will bring up the “close program” dialog window.  You can use this as a last resort method to close programs (by clicking on them in the “close program” window.) 

 

·        In MANY Microsoft Office applications, hitting CONTROL + Z will UNDO the last thing you did… Often, pressing this a few times in a row will UNDO a series of things!  (USE THIS IN MICROSOFT WORD to UNDO when kids accidentally erase things!  It will AMAZE them!)

 

·        Using the TAB key in windows will move the “focus” (active area) around the page. 

 

·        Using the ARROW KEYS will move the focus within the area of the screen that is active.  (for example, once an icon on the desktop is selected as the focus (highlighted), you can use the arrow keys to select other icons on the desktop!)

 

·        Hitting Space Bar will fill in a check box, and make selections in some areas of Windows. 

 

·        ANYTIME you see an underlined letter in a menu, if you hit ALT+that letter, you will select that menu or make that selection!  In Internet Explorer, try hitting ALT + T.  This will open the Tools Menu.  You can keep the ALT key pressed and then hit “O” to open “Internet Options.”